In her book, Amanda candidly discusses her years of financial struggle. She talks about the poor money management skills she once had, describing the way she upgraded her lifestyle to a level she couldn’t possibly maintain. Amanda shares the way she felt when she hit rock bottom. At that point, she resolved to change her life from the inside out by revamping her entire attitude toward money.

In her book, Amanda draws on her own experience, and the “money stories” of dozens of other women, to empower readers to live a life of financial stability and comfort.

Amanda believes too many women are crippled by their own money habits and past mistakes, which weigh them down with guilt and shame. Her goal for the book is to show women how to break free from these negative thought patterns and develop a positive, constructive approach instead.

Worth It provides readers with a lot more than just anecdotal advice. The book takes readers on their own journey of self-discovery and triumph, showing them how to break down their own money story and its many facets.

The first step in this process is exploring the many layers of money stories. These stories are founded in childhood, formed by the way your family managed money and the unspoken attitudes you absorbed as a child. They are then built upon as you age and slowly achieve financial independence.

Next, Amanda asks readers to choose from an assortment of statements about money that best describe their own attitudes. This exercise shows women exactly which negative thought patterns are their biggest obstacles to a successful financial life. Once these barriers are identified, readers can begin to reshape their money mindset into a positive, goal-oriented approach.

Throughout the book, Amanda highlights practical strategies she herself used when rebuilding her own attitude about money. She also draws on the money stories of powerful, strong women she’s met through her work to encourage and advise readers on their own journeys. These women come from a wide range of backgrounds and financial classes, so every single reader will find a story they can relate to on some level – and learn from.

Critics of the book say it only offers amateur financial advice. If you’re an avid reader of personal finance books and you’re ready for a more complex conversation about investments, mortgages, and saving for your retirement, this book might not be for you. But if you just started thinking about the way you relate to money and manage your finances, you’ll love the candid, practical approach Worth It offers.

Your Turn: Do you have a “money story” that holds you back from financial success? We’d love to hear about it!

Q: I’m ready to tie the knot, but I don’t know if I can afford a wedding! How can I cut costs without compromising on my special day?

A: You don’t need to skimp on the wedding of your dreams or go deeply into debt to pay for it. By planning ahead, choosing wisely and prioritizing what’s truly important, you can say “I Do” without stressing over wedding costs.

Here’s how:

1.) Start saving now

Instead of waiting for that special someone to pop the question, start saving now! The average age of marriage is 27 for men, and 26 for women. It may sound crazy but, if you start saving for your wedding when you’re 20, you’ll only need to put away roughly $333 a month. But, if you start at age 26, you’ll need to put away $2,333 a month! You can establish any number of share savings accounts at Insight Credit Union and watch your money grow for whatever purpose you choose, especially a wedding.

2.) Time it right

Think off-season and mid-week, and you’ll save a bundle!

First, consider a winter wedding. You’ll shave thousands of dollars off the venue price by choosing an unusual time of year to get married. Second, think beyond Saturdays. If you can find a church with a vacancy on a Sunday, grab it! Venue prices drop dramatically with just a one-day switch.

You can also opt for a mid-week wedding that precedes a national holiday date, like July 4th. This way, your guests will still be able to enjoy the evening without rushing home.

3.) Skip the cake

A slice of dessert for $2.50 that doesn’t even taste good? Meh, who needs it? Here are some other ideas for the sweets at your wedding:

Fake your cake. If you can’t stomach the idea of a cake-less wedding, ask your baker to fake it for you by creating a false cardboard bottom for your cake and only baking a genuine top layer or two. You’ll get the same look without the huge cost.

Set up a dessert bar. You can serve hot waffles, brownies or chocolate chip cookies with ice cream, caramel sauce and a selection of other fun toppings. You’ll pamper your guests at a fraction of the cost!

Serve a sheet cake instead. Your guests will be happy to savor a slice – even without all that fondant and frosting.

Text messaging has come under attack as one of the most vulnerable mediums for identity theft and more. Here’s what you need to know about an SMS message-based scam called “smishing.”

How it works

Smishing scams use text messages to establish contact with the intended victim to later access their personal information.

The scam begins with a supposedly urgent text appearing to be from the victim’s financial institution. The text may claim that the victim’s checking account is locked, or that there has been an unauthorized purchase charged to the victim’s account. The scammer will warn that immediate action must be taken.

The victim is then instructed to call a specified number and, upon doing so, will be asked to share their financial information. Once they’ve got their hands on this info, the scammer is free to steal the victim’s identity, empty their accounts or go on a shopping spree on the victim’s dime.

Who are the victims?

Smishing scams primarily target people who do their banking online, but fraudsters will use any cellphone number they can find. If you own a checking account and a cellphone, you are a candidate for a smishing scam.

Recognizing smishing scams

Insight Credit Union will not alert you of a possible fraud or account lockdown via text; we prefer more personal means to help you know it’s us.

Also, the phone number the smishing text instructs you to call is not ours. You can reach us at 407.426.6000 or Toll-Free 888.843.8328. If you’re told to contact us at a different number, it’s not us you’re calling!

What to do if you’ve been targeted

If you receive a suspicious-looking text, do not engage the texter! Jot down the scammer’s number and delete the message. Let us know about the smishing attempt, tell all your friends and alert the FTC.

If you’ve fallen for the scam and your accounts have been compromised, alert your credit card companies and be sure to let us know, too.

As a homeowner, a hurricane can prove to be your biggest nightmare. Storm damages caused by flooding, strong winds and airborne projectiles can cost thousands to fix. Of course, there are steps you can take to protect your property, but where do you begin? It’s all so overwhelming! No worries; we’ll walk you through keeping you, your loved ones, your home, and your property safe when the wild storms blow in!

1.) Check your insurance coverage. Your first step should be a review of your homeowner’s insurance policy. If it seems insufficient, now is a good time to consider upgrading to a plan that will provide more extensive coverage.

2.) Protect your property against flooding. Before storm season, spend an afternoon cleaning your gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re in optimal working order. During the next rainfall, do a quick scout of your external drains and pipes, checking that they’re working effectively and that there are no areas where water gathers. If you spot a problem, take note of what needs to be fixed and tackle the job as quickly as you can after the rain.

3.) Inspect your property’s structure. Ensure there are no structural issues on your property that can be worsened by a hurricane. Shaky roofs, loose shingles and weakened external walls can all give storm winds entry to your home where they can do substantial damage. Check your windows too. Be sure to seal up leaks and secure window latches.

4.) Review your evacuation route. Prepare your evacuation route in advance and make plans for where you’d stay in case of a storm.

5.) Stock up! To ease your pre-storm prep, get your stock ready now. Designate an area in your home for storm supplies and keep it stocked with bottled water, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit and non-perishable food items. You might also want to purchase a crank-powered or battery-operated radio in case of a power outage.

Here at Insight Credit Union we want to help. Call, click, or stop by today to ask about our fantastic rates on loans for flood-related expenses. We’ll help you stay safe and dry this hurricane season!

How do you prepare for hurricane season? Share your own tips and strategies with us in the comments!

Is your home in desperate need of a face lift? As you probably know, renovations don’t come cheap. In fact, the average kitchen remodel tops $60,000 and bathroom overhauls can cost $18,000! With some careful planning, though, you can shave thousands of dollars off these price tags. Keep reading to find out how.

1.) Don’t do a complete remodel. Instead of knocking down walls, give the outdated area a fresh coat of paint, new light fixtures and some minor décor upgrades. Potential money saved: $30,000.

2.) Shop around for a contractor. Find someone professional, reliable and willing to give you a decent price. Check out at least three different contractors before making your decision. Ask for references and meet with each contractor in person to get a feel for their professional conduct and character. Also, be sure to sign a detailed contract. Potential money saved: several thousand dollars.

3.) Consider long–term benefits. It often makes sense to pay more now if it’ll save you big down the line. For example, if you’re installing clapboard siding, you’ll save in the long run by paying more for pre-primed and pre-painted boards. Using the prefinished claps means you’ll need half as many paint jobs in the future. Money saved: $1,250 (for a 10×40 area).

4.) Pick decent but midgrade materials. When long-term functionality is not a criterion, choose the midgrade option. One area where you’ll see this at play is in carpeting. Olefin and polyester carpeting will run you $1 to $2 per square foot .while wool costs upward of $9 to $11 per square foot. Money saved: $400 (for a 40-square-feet area).

5.) Bring in natural light without windows. Looking to bring a splash of sunshine into your kitchen? Instead of adding a window, consider installing a “light tube.” It slips between the rafters on your roof and works to funnel sunshine down into the living space below. Adding a double-pane window can run you $1,500; a light tube costs $500.Money saved: $1,000.

6.) Lend a hand. Save big by doing some of the demolition work yourself, painting some walls, or even sanding walls to prep them for painting. You can also lend a hand with the cleanup instead of hiring a crew. Money saved: $200 or more.

7.) Increase efficiency, not size; Cramped kitchen? Don’t assume you need to push out walls to make it work. Instead, reorganize your kitchen for optimal efficiency and save tens of thousands of dollars. Upgrade your cabinets with lazy susans, pullout drawers, dividers and more. Consider hiring a professional organizer to show you how to maximize your space – you’ll still save big overall.

Money saved: up to $60,000. Before making any decisions, be sure to call, click or stop by Insight Credit Union today to learn about our fantastic rates on Home Equity Lines of Credit!

Have you recently remodeled? How did you save money? Share your best hacks with us in the comments!

If you’re looking to sell your home and start over elsewhere, you likely want that sale to happen as quickly as possible. Here are a few simple tips that will help it sell faster and for the best price!

1.) Price it right

Find out the true worth of your home, and then lower it 20%. You’ll have buyers rushing – and then bidding up the price to what you really wanted.

2.) Choose the right agent

Do your research before hiring a realtor. Your broker should have an excellent track record that includes recent sales and being updated on market trends. Be sure to ask for references and credentials, too.

3.) Let the light shine

Change your lampshades and use the maximum possible wattage for every light fixture in your home. You can also scrub your windows, remove the drapes and let the sunshine in.

4.) Rent a storage unit

You want your house to be clutter-free and your closets to look as spacious as possible. To do this, you’ll probably need to get rid of half the stuff around your home and in your closets. Consider renting a mini storage unit to store your extra stuff until your house sells.

5.) Amp up your curb appeal

Attract buyers by sprucing up the exterior of your home. Splurge on a striking patio set, trim your shrubs and plant some pretty flowers along your walkway.

6.) Focus on the kitchen

The kitchen is where it’s at. Depending on the state of your kitchen, you might want to do a quick remodel, including a fresh coat of paint, new cabinets and more. Remember: A buyer can easily shave $10,000 off the asking price by claiming your kitchen is outdated.

7.) Upgrade – but don’t go overboard

It’s OK to do some light remodeling throughout your home, but don’t go overboard. A paint job, new light fixtures, door handles and rugs can do the trick.

8.) Make it impersonal

Get rid of your personal items before showing your home. You want visitors to envision their own belongings here – not yours.

9.) Market it yourself

Be your own best agent. Let everyone and their neighbor know you’re selling your home and be sure to speak in glowing terms about your house to anyone who asks for details.

10.) Make it sparkle

Don’t skimp on this one! Give your entire home a deep cleaning before showing it to buyers.

11.) Hide your pets

Not everyone is an animal lover. If you’ve got some furry critters at home, hide the evidence! If you’re hosting an open house, send your pets to a friend’s place for the day.

12.) Hire a professional

Consider hiring professional help for staging and photographing your home.

With these tips and trick, you’re all set! Now get out there and put your home’s best face forward! For mortgage options on your next home, visit Insight Credit Union’s website for more information.

Have you recently sold your home? Tell us how you made it happen! Share your best tips and tricks with us in the comments!

Bad habits are a lot more than just a drag on your health and time – they can also put a serious strain on your budget. Not sure how? Here’s some average expenses of habits that may be impacting your finances but not in a good way.

#1: Smoking

If you smoke, averaging $5 a day, that’ll run $35 a week and more than $1,820 a year.

Avg. Monthly Cost: $140

Quick fix: Give it up and do your lungs (and budget) a favor! If you find quitting too hard, at least try to cut back a little bit each day.

#2: Paying credit card bills late

This habit won’t only cost you a pretty penny but it’ll really hurt your credit score. It could also increase your rate (which will increase your interest charges).

Avg. Monthly Cost: $70

Quick fix: Take a few minutes now to set up automatic payment on your bills so you’ll never be late.

#3: Buying lunch

If you can’t bring yourself to brown-bag it at work, you probably spend upward of $7 every work day. That’s a lot of money you can use for something more important – or even put into savings. At Insight Credit Union we have great saving account options to get you started.

Avg. Monthly Cost: $147

Quick fix: Try to brown-bag it every Tuesday. When you’ve got that down pat, do it every Tuesday and Thursday. Work your way through the week until you’re only buying lunch once a week – or just once a month! Starting a meal prep routine can help you keep going.

#4: Online shopping

It’s way too easy to overspend when it’s just a click here and a click there before you’re looking at a full cart – and an empty checking account.

Avg. Monthly Cost: $65

Quick fix: Don’t agree to have your computer or phone “remember” your credit cards in any online shopping sites you visit. If you can’t stop surfing the stores, keep your credit card out of reach while you browse.

#5: Collecting clutter

Clutter costs you more than just time – it can also make you blow big bucks. When you don’t know what’s in your pantry or closet, you’ll overspend on things you don’t need.

Avg. Monthly Cost: $50

Quick fix: Spend your next Saturday clearing out your closet and pantry. It’ll take a few hours, but afterward, you’ll only need to spend a few minutes a week keeping it in order.

#6: Only paying the minimum

Carrying a balance on your credit cards can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in interest alone.

Avg. Monthly Cost: $60

Quick fix: Get into the habit of paying more than the minimum so you make real headway on paying off debt.

Now that you have an idea of some of the habits that could be costing you, you can take steps to improve them. Are there any habits you’ve cut out that have helped you save money? Share with us in the comments.

Medicare is replacing its old cards with new ones which contain an 11-digit code instead of a Social Security number. Unfortunately, even though the cards have not yet been fully issued, scammers are taking advantage of this change.

A caller pretending to be a Medicare representative will ask for payment in exchange for the new ID. Alternatively, the caller might claim to need the victim’s medical information to send out their new card. In reality, the cards are free and will be mailed automatically.

In another variation, a caller will wrongly insist that the victim must purchase Medicare’s prescription drug coverage or risk losing all coverage.

In another ruse not limited to Medicare members, the caller asks for the victim’s checking account number and Social Security number to deposit a supposed refund from their insurer.

Once the scammer has the victim’s medical information, though, they can:

Pose as the victim to see a doctor

Obtain prescriptions

File a false health claim

Don’t be the next victim!

Here’s what you need to know about medical identity theft.

The cost

The average medical identity theft costs $13,500 to fix, but can affect other areas of life and home, such as:

1.) Loss of health coverage

Scammers might max out your benefit limits, leaving you with no coverage.

2.) Ruined credit history

Scammers can destroy your credit history by racking up hospital bills in your name and then disappearing.

3.) False medical records

When the scammer receives treatment in your name, it’s documented on your medical records. This can be extremely dangerous when you seek medical attention in the future.

4.) Higher premiums

The scammer’s medical activity may cause your premiums to rise.

Preventing medical scams

Take proactive steps to ensure you’re not the next victim.

Know that Medicare will never call you. They always contact members via mail.

Be wary of suspicious-looking bills from third-party providers. If you receive any, alert your insurer immediately.

Review your credit history often. If you see unfamiliar charges, immediately ask for a fraud alert and place a freeze on your credit.

Fixing your medical history

If you spot an error on your medical records, it’s crucial that you correct it so it doesn’t affect your medical treatment in the future. Send a copy of the documents detailing the discrepancy to every medical professional and facility involved in your care.

Fighting back

If you’ve been victimized by medical identity theft, be sure to report it!

If you are a member of Medicare, call 800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov. Alternately, report the scam to your own insurance provider.

Now that we’ve given you red flags to look for, you’re armed with information to keep your medical identity safe. Be sure to check out the Security Center of our website. It offers a variety of valuable materials regarding information security. Check back often as content is updated regularly.